The International Exchange program and National Exchange program, among other study-abroad services, have seen dramatic cuts in their budgets due to a lack in university funding. The aftermath of these cuts has affected faculty, staff and student services.

Some programs, however, have been completely cut due to a lack of funding such as the National Student Exchange program.

The lack of funding has also resulted in an increase in unofficial duties for staff and faculty.

Marcia Romsa is currently employed as the sole advisor for the Study Abroad and International Exchange office for the duration of the 2010-11 academic school year.

Romsa has taken the role of “unofficial” office manager ””manning phones, mail, greeting all visitors to the office, ordering supplies, taking care of maintenance issues, safety issues and technical issues among other tasks.

Part-time coordinator of Continuing and Global Education Shane Moreman has been trying to help students with scholarship opportunities.

“[Moreman] is in the process of writing grants for students to study abroad,” dean in the Continuing and Global Education office Lynette Zelezny said.

Zelezny added that she supports NSE, but the study abroad program brings in more money. Aside form the economic factor, Zelezny said the National Student Exchange also lacks student interest.

“We need to know that students are interested. The NSE program only brought in students in the double digits,” Zelezny said.

Zelezny added that “if students show they are interested and push for it” [those concerns can be taken to the proper officials.]

The effect on students, however, might be eminent.

“I was really bummed when I heard they canceled [the program]. It was an amazing opportunity,” Fresno State student Julie Munns said. “Without that program I would have never gone outside of California.”

Munns had the opportunity to take part in the NSE program when it was active at Fresno State. She attended the University of Alabama.

Other Fresno State students, such as Lauren Beal, have no other choice but to strive for the study abroad program or other alternatives.

“I came in as a freshman really wanting to have that experience. I wanted to go to the East Coast and now I have to go study abroad because I may never get this chance to get away again,” Beal said.

Programs that remain active, such as the Fulbright program, offer opportunities for graduating students to further their education abroad.